Page 120 of The Sovereign: Part One
Maxim let out a laugh, despite his best efforts to stay solemn.
“And just so we’re clear,” I added, “you choose me, too.”
In one fluid motion, Maxim pulled me into his lap, arms locking around me, his forehead slowly bowing until it lightly pressed my cheek.He sighed.“Every day, until there are no days left.”
It had lived in the back of my mind since Lev revealed the truth, that unlike other Supplicants, Maxim could leave me if he wanted.The thought stirred a rush of conflicting feelings every time it surfaced.The fear was real, bone-deep and breath-stealing.But so was the comfort.Because despite having the freedom to walk away, he stayed.Not out of programming, but devotion.
“As for your other concerns, I can avoid detection.I’ve bypassed the system before to access the archives, and leaving the city is no different.There are back-channels.I’ve been charting them for weeks.”
My gaze narrowed.“Why?”
“Because I knew this was coming.”
The Sablestone’s light cooled as the day altered into night, casting long lines across the tiled flooring.There were no sharp edges in Hyperion design, no wasteful geometry.Even our ceilings responded to focus and field of vision, not by shifting structure, but by altering perception.When you looked up, they seemed to stretch higher, when you looked down, they subtly contracted, creating the illusion of spatial adjustment without a single panel moving.Everything about it was crafted to respond to the needs we expressed and the ones we hadn’t thought to.
But even here, wrapped in every comfort hyper-advanced engineering could provide, I felt unsettled.Maybe because life had always unfolded without resistance.Maybe because I knew that was about to change.Because, somehow,wehad become the resistance.
“I hate that we even have to consider this,” I said finally.
Maxim reached for my hand, his fingers brushing across my palm in a line that settled something inside me without silencing it.
“We’ll find a way,” he said.“We’ll make one.”
“I don’t want to lose them, either,” I whispered.
“Then you won’t.”
We sat in a fragile pause.Outside, the sky deepened toward indigo.Somewhere in the city, a melodic chime sequence marked the end of the civic workday.A thousand systems still spun beneath us, economic, biometric, atmospheric.Hyperion never truly slept.But in this room, we had carved out a bubble of stillness.But it couldn’t hold forever.
“You mentioned our Oathbond is quickly approaching,” Maxim said, squeezing my hand once.
“Yes, and I’ll feel so much better once it’s over.Not that I won’t enjoy the moment, but things will change for us—in a good way.Once we’re Oathbonded, you’ll have stronger legal protections.The Citadel won’t be able to touch you without going through me first.”
Maxim let out a quiet laugh.“I was thinking more about the day itself.Your dress.The Tethering Vow.”
“Oh.”I blinked, then laughed softly at myself.“We’ve drifted into sweeter territory.Internally screaming but noted.”I inhaled.“So, yes.Our Oathbond day.The Tethering Vow the night before.”I stopped.Froze.“Maxim?”
“Yes, darling?”His voice held a familiar edge of mischief.He knew my realization—and subsequent panic—were imminent.He’d been waiting for it.He might have even planned it.
“You’ll be tethered to my biorhythms in four days,” I said, my voice strained.
“I know.”
“The Oathbond is in five.”
“Correct.Your thirtieth birthday as well.”
My mouth fell open as I sucked in an airy gasp.
“I can see the mental checklist racing behind your eyes,” he said, amused.“But I assure you, we’re ready.The Tethering ceremony, the vows, the Oathbond ceremony, the Accordance resort, everything’s in place.”
“I know,” I murmured, still stunned.“I’ve had it all planned since I was old enough to dream about it.But I have this gnawing feeling that I’ve forgotten something.”
“You didn’t.I’m just as invested in this weekend as you are, possibly more, if I may be so bold.I’ve checked and rechecked every detail myself.The invitations have been received, guests have logged their secondary intent to attend, the Tethering officiant, Hecta’s finals, the ceremony venue, the resort confirmation, your dress, my suit, the rings.The attestation files were processed and approved, attire schedule and transport manifests are locked.Everything else is in motion—finalized, confirmed, and waiting.”
I leaned into him, curling against his chest.My head found its place at the crook of his neck, his whiskers brushing my hairline.
“Feel better?”
